Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in the U.S.


We became united on that day and then slowly went back to life.

Much has changed.

But 10 years later, I still get chills watching coverage of the events of that beautiful September day.

It was clear with no clouds. The sky was a beautiful blue.

I had the day off. I was preparing to go out and finish painting the walls and ceiling in the garage. The phone rang.

My wife told me to turn on the TV. Something terrible was happening in New York.

It got worst. A second plane crashed into a tower at the World Trade Center.

Numb.

It became surreal for me.

Instead of painting, I turned the TV off and went out and mowed the lawn.

An hour later, I turned on the TV again. No, it was real.

The Pentagon was attacked and a plane went down in south central Pennsylvania. Thoughts turned to Chicago, Los Angeles and other major cities.

Planes in the sky were being used as bombs.

I kept the TV on as I headed out to paint. I added the radio to keep me informed.

A cool, sunny day became one of confusion.

What in the world was happening? Gas prices started heading sky high as people thought the worst was coming.

By painting, I kept my mind busy. No need to use the imagination. The real stuff was enough.

Morning became afternoon.

Around 3 p.m., the high school across from my house let out. It was a different scene.

Kids quietly left and got in cars our on school buses. Adults talked in whispers.

And the sky above was missing the normal jet traffic heading to and from the airports in Chicago.

It was a quiet day.

Talking to my wife outside a couple of hours later, I looked up.

There was a large jet with an escort heading north and east.

Air Force One was heading back to D.C. from Nebraska, where they took the president due to the attacks taking place.

The surreal sight was one that made me secure.

The leader of the country was heading home to lead us into an uncertain future.

There have been ups and downs since that day.

We lost many good people that day, and we have lost many good ones since we started waging war against terrorists.

We cannot and should not forget Sept. 11, 2001.

We should not let it paralyze us.

The world changed that September day.

It continues to change.

Americans adapt and overcome.

We bend but we don't break.

I am proud to be an American.



.